Again, could we about fifteen months ago have foreseen the present state of publick affairs, should we not have considered it, as a wonderful answer to our supplications? The prospect was then very gloomy. Our allies had left us, (perhaps unavoidably,) to sustain alone the apparently unequal contest: the powers of the north combined to deprive us of our naval superiority: even our rulers evidently were not without apprehensions that an invasion would be attempted: a scarcity approximating to famine, pressed upon us: it became doubtful whether supplies from abroad could be procured, to sustain the people till harvest; and what that harvest would be, who could tell? Urged by such distresses, what might not have been feared from the suffering multitudes? what advantages might not the disaffected at home, as well as our foreign enemies, have obtained? No doubt the more we were pressed and alarmed, the greater earnestness in prayer was excited. 'Man's extremity is God's opportunity.' These clouds are all now dispersed! A plentiful harvest has supplied our wants. Our successes and negotiations have quelled the northern storm: peace is made with France: my tongue cannot do justice to the change which in little more than a year has taken place. I can only stand astonished, and call on you, my brethren, saying, "Oh "magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

II. I proceed to shew the acknowledgment, which we are called on to make, to that God "who hath in"clined his ear to us," and " answered us in the day "of our distress."

And here I shall digress a little to advert to several topicks, which I hear advanced; not indeed with a design to shew, that we ought not to be thankful; but yet suited to damp the spirit of grateful joy, which I wish to feel and excite with unabated fervour.

Many entertain an opinion, that a very large proportion of the distresses, to which the lower orders especially in the time of the late pressure, were exposed, was owing to the wickedness of different descriptions of men; and this damps the ardour of their joy and gratitude for deliverance. That human nature is depraved and selfish, we who believe the gospel must maintain: and that selfish men have always taken the advantage of publick difficulties to enrich themselves, though by increasing the distresses of others, cannot be doubted: Yet it is very questionable, whether this have taken place in the late pressure more than usual, or in the way that multitudes have supposed. But, however that may be, let us leave the culprits to the justice of man; and if that fail, to the tribunal of God: one thing is indisputable; that the Lord hath heard the prayers of his worshippers, and in a considerable degree alleviated our pressure; and without considering what our fellow creatures have done, or are doing, let us, my friends, thank God for what He hath done. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his "benefits."

Again, some augur from the aspect of things, and from the character and situation of those with whom we have made peace, that it will not be permanent;

and this interferes with their grateful joy.-But, my brethren, if God hath, after a tremendous storm, brought us safe to a commodious anchorage, in answer to our prayers; let us trust him, that in answer to our future prayers, he will prevent further storms, or carry us safely through them. "We had, (says the "apostle,) the sentence of death in ourselves, that we "should not trust in ourselves, but in him that raised "the dead: who hath delivered us,-and doth deliver us,—and in him we trust that he will yet deliver

us."

Experience will warrant us to place some measure of dependence, under God, in the vigilance and firmness of our rulers: but if they were far less worthy of our confidence, he, who hath heard our prayers, hath a right to our acknowledgments for the past, and our affiance for the time to come. We have been taught by late events to expect extraordinary changes. The consequences of the revolution in France far exceeded all expectation; changes, that were never thought of have hitherto succeeded to each other! and the return of peace is an event which a while ago was beyond our hopes. Let us then leave these things with God: He can give a turn to affairs, which shall prevent the consequences that we are apt to fear. And he says to us, "Take no thought for the morrow: let the morrow "take thought for the things of itself: sufficient for the "day is the evil thereof."

Again, some persons are so afraid of the infidel and anarchical principles which have prevailed on the continent; that their warmth of gratitude and joy for peace

are deadened, by the apprehension of bad consequences to religion, morality, and civil order. Here indeed, my brethren, we are loudly called upon, to avoid unnecessary intercourse with such as hold these principles. We may "follow peace with all men;" and yet "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works "of darkness." We should also double our diligence in instructing our children, our families, and congregations; and in making them intimately acquainted with the evidences and nature of Christianity, and the duties of submission to God, and to man in all things lawful; and in every other way to promote genuine religion. This will best stop the progress of infidel and pernicious principles. But surely none can think perpetual war and bloodshed needful for this purpose. Let us all use the proper weapons of our warfare, diligently and zealously, and we shall need no other. War may prevent intercourse, and so preclude mischief; but it must also prevent the communication of good. And are we so afraid of error, and so distrustful of the force of truth and the power of God to support it, that we have no hope, but in standing aloof and out of the reach of Satan's hosts? "The wrath of man "worketh not the righteousness of God." I have no doubt but peace is more favourable to the cause of Christ, than war ever can be. Indeed I am not disposed to dread, what are called French principles, so much as some persons do. They have been carried to such extremes of flagrant absurdity, and have produced such horrid effects; that they are become generally odious or suspected; the dreadful paroxysm is

over; and untried plausible delusions are at present far more to be feared.

It should also be considered, that in all cases, pros. perity is attended with peculiar dangers to the interests of true religion, both in private and publick life: yet we do not on this account consider ourselves forbidden to rejoice, or excused from being thankful, when favoured with health, domestick comforts, and success in our circumstances: though we may see cause to "rejoice with trembling" and moderation, for such precarious advantages.

But a still deeper cause of regret and even alarm, is mentioned by many very pious persons, and that sometimes in a manner which tends to abate our joy and thankfulness; on account of the special mercies vouchsafed us. They observe, that neither judgments nor deliverances have amended our national character; that iniquity and profaneness abound as much, or more, than ever; that luxury and dissipation seem to increase among us; and that the Lord's day is more openly profaned, and the gospel more despised, than during any former period.

It is, alas! undeniable, that there is too much ground for these and similar lamentations; and this should excite us to oppose our earnest exertions and fervent prayers to the destructive torrent. Yet after all, bad as things are among us, though not apt to be sanguine in this respect, I am of opinion, that there is in some degree a real amendment in our national character. Had all the other inhabitants of Sodom continued as wicked as ever, or even become still worse, had that been pos